Characterization of the secretome, transcriptome and proteome of human β cell line EndoC-βH1

Abstract

Early diabetes research is hampered by limited availability, variable quality and instability of human pancreatic islets in culture. Little is known about the human {beta} cell secretome, and recent studies question translatability of rodent {beta} cell secretory profiles. Here, we verify representativeness of EndoC-{beta}H1, one of the most widely used human {beta} cell lines, as a translational human {beta} cell model based on omics and characterize the EndoC-{beta}H1 secretome. We profiled EndoC-{beta}H1 cells using RNA-seq, Data Independent Acquisition (DIA) and Tandem Mass Tag proteomics of cell lysate. Omics profiles of EndoC-{beta}H1 cells were compared to human {beta} cells and insulinomas. Secretome composition was assessed by DIA proteomics. Agreement between EndoC-{beta}H1 cells and primary adult human {beta} cells was ~90% for global omics profiles as well as for {beta} cell markers, transcription factors and enzymes. Discrepancies in expression were due to elevated proliferation rate of EndoC-{beta}H1 cells compared to adult {beta} cells. Consistently, similarity was slightly higher with benign non-metastatic insulinomas. EndoC-{beta}H1 secreted 671 proteins in untreated baseline state and 3,278 proteins when stressed with non-targeting control siRNA, including known {beta} cell hormones INS, IAPP, and IGF2. Further, EndoC-{beta}H1 secreted proteins known to generate bioactive peptides such as granins and enzymes required for production of bioactive peptides. Unexpectedly, exosomes appeared to be a major mode of secretion in EndoC-{beta}H1 cells. We believe that secretion of exosomes and bioactive peptides warrant further investigation with specialized proteomics workflows in future studies. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=106 SRC="FIGDIR/small/459582v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (26K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1976bc0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@233c4eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14c3350org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1bcf0d5_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG HighlightsO_LIWe validate EndoC-{beta}H1 as a translational human {beta} cell model using omics. C_LIO_LIWe present the first unbiased proteomics composition of human {beta} cell line secretome. C_LIO_LIThe secretome of human {beta} cells is more extensive than previously thought. C_LIO_LIUntreated cells secreted 671 proteins and stressed cells secreted 3,278 proteins. C_LIO_LISecretion of exosomes and bioactive peptides constitute directions of future research. C_LI